Bandolph w



(No Model.)

R. W. STILWELL 00mm FASTENING.

Patented Sept. 13,

N. PETERS. Fhowiilhographer. Wnhingion, n c.

ilNiTEb STATES PATENT Grates.

RANDOLPH WV. STILWELL, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

CORSET-FASTENING.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 369,972, dated September 13, 1867.

Application filed February 1, 1887. Serial No. 226,131.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, RANDOLPH W. STIL- WELL, of the city and county of New York,in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Corsets, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to the construction and arrangement of the eyes or holes through which the lacings are rove to effect the adjustment.

I make each corset, as usual, in two parts, and provide any ordinary or suitable attach ing and detaching means for joining the front edges. I employ lacings to adjustably unite the back edges, being rove through eyes. I make the eyes by bending wires, preferably hard brass wires, by hand or by machinery, in

the proper form to present loops to receive the lacings. 1 secure these wires between two flaps of fabric in the edges of a corset, so that the wires are covered and protected when in use. Some of the benefit of the invention may be obtained by employing the outer flap of the proper width to conceal and protect the eyes, and making the inner flap of less width, or suppressing it altogether; but I prefer,for ordinary cases, making the fabric both on the outer and inner face of the corset extend alittle past the eyes. There is a liability that the eyes, however judiciously the material maybe selected, will corrode with perspiration, so as to discolor the dress on the outside or the under-clothing within. By forming the corset with a flap or fabric inside and another flap of fabric outside of the eyes the discoloration, if any is produced,will all be on those flaps of the corset, and the other garments will be entirely preserved. In what I esteem the most complete form of the invention, I bend the wire so as not only to take firm hold of the corset by the aid of the lines of stitching inserted for the purpose and hold the eyes firmly, so that they can withstand the strain even of the tightest lacing, but also to form by the same wires eyes which serve as guides for the lacings at points in the waist a little distant from the edge. The ends of the lacings traverse through these guides on their exit from the corset.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification, and represent what I con- (No model.)

sider the best means of carrying out the invention.

Figure 1 is a general perspective view showing the corset in use. The remaining figures are on a larger scale. Fig. 2 is a back view of the upper portion of the corset. Fig. 3 is a corresponding view showing certain portions on a still larger scale. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 00 x in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a vertical section on theline yy in Fig. 3. Figs. 6 and 7 show the wire which forms the eyes detached from the garment, but retaining all the bends. Fig. 6 presents the wire as it would appear if visible in the corset when seen from the rear. Fig. 7 is a corresponding view asit would appearin side elevation. Fig. 8 corresponds to Fig. 6, except that the loops are of a semicircular instead of a rectangular form. Figs. 9 and 10 show two forms of eyes made in separate short lengths of wire. Such eyes may be introduced in the same position between the flaps of the corset; but I prefer making the eyes in one length, so that all the eyes on one side of the corset shall be formed in the same continuous wire. Fig. 11 shows the wire in short lengths secured by winding around the edge spring of the corset. It will be understood that in all these a flap of the fabric lies on the inside and another flap on the outside of the eyes. Fig. 12is a horizontal section on the line 00 min Fig. 3, but showing a modification of the position of the edges ofthe fabric. Fig. 13 shows another modification in the position of the edges of the fabric.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures where they occur.

A A are the two parts of a pair of corsets. They may be made of any ordinary orsuitablc material, and woven in form or made by sewing, forming each from a number of properly shaped pieces of fabric; but it is important that each be made at the back edge in two thicknesses, which are left free at their edges, forming flaps A A", between which thelacings may enter, traverse the proper eyes, and emerge at the proper points for tightening or loosening the garment.

B B are smooth round wires bent by hand or machinery into the form represented. I

' lacing.

B are the eyes which receive the strain of the lacing.

B are the guides through which the lacing is simply guided as it is moved in one direction or the other for either tightening or loosening the corsets. V

B are rings or loops which present smooth surfaces at the ends.

0 G are the lacings,which serve the ordinary functions. They are arranged in the ordinary manner, except that the eyes formed by the bends B, through which they are rove, lie between the fiaps A A of the corsets. The lacings O correspondingly traverse outward and inward between these flaps. The arrangement is indicated in Fig. 2.

D D are lines of stitching strongly uniting the flaps and holding the wires firmly in place. There are other lines of stitching inclosing springs which correspond to the ordinary springs in corscts,and need not be specifically described.

M is an eyelet or rivet inserted through both flaps A A and through the eye or loop B in the end of the wire B. It serves asa firm and reliable fastening.

The operation of the corset is the same as the ordinary, except that the lacings 0, being rove through the eyes B are efiectually guided. The ends may be secured by tying in the ordinary manner.

Modifications may be made by any good mechanic without departing from the principle or sacrificing the advantages of the invention. I can use a greater or less number of the eyes. I can use thicker or thinner wire.

Part of the invention maybe used without the whole. The form of the eyes B, shown in Figs. 8 and 10, is adapted for round 'lacings. The other figures are adapted for fiat lacings; but either form may serve with some success with the other form of lacing. I attach importance mainly to the fact that the eyes lie between the flaps of the fabric, as plainly shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The modificationsshown in Figs. 12 and 13, involve only a portion of the advantages. In the one case the inner flap is employed, and in the other case the outer flap is employed. One of these forms may bepreferable under some conditions, on account of the increased facility afforded for reevingthe lacings through the eyes. I can use the eyes B, lying between the flaps A A and lead away the cords directlyin the ordinary manner without employing the guides B". I prefer the whole as shown in Figs. 1 to 7 ,inclusive.

Having now fully described the invention, I claim asnew in corsets- 1. The eyes B, formed of wire bent and secured as shown, in combination with corsets A, having the flaps A A or one of them,and arranged with the flap or fiaps extending beyond the eyes,and the eyes between the flaps, as herein specified.

2. The wires B, bent to form both the eyes B and guides B in combination with the corsets A, having one or more flaps, A A, and the lacings 0, arranged to serve as herein specified.

3. The rivets or eyelets M, engaged in the loops B, in combination with the wires B,having the eyes B, and the corsets A A and flaps A A, as herein specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand, at New York city, this 3lst day of January, 1887, in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

RANDOLPH W.

\Vitnesses:

O. S. HYER, H. A. J OHNSTONE.

STILWELL. 

